Coughlin, who has since been accused of beating the suspect in a holding cell at police headquarters, noted in the report that he knew the West Plymouth man from “past interaction.” In fact, court records show Leighton has had plenty of interaction with police and has been booked by Coughlin in the past.

Coughlin, meanwhile, is no stranger to federal courts. A suspect in a domestic disturbance accused him and two other officers of using excessive force during an arrest in 2007. The man later voluntarily withdrew the complaint and apologized. (See separate story.)

Coughlin, a 15-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department, is accused of beating Leighton while the 26-year-old man was handcuffed in a police holding cell last Nov. 19. Coughlin was indicted on related felony charges and has pleaded innocent in federal court.

Leighton, who was arrested that night as an alleged repeat drunk driving offender, was initially accused as well of assaulting Coughlin and another officer in the holding cell.

Leighton spent 40 days in jail before a review of videotape from his booking led prosecutors to dismiss all charges.

An attorney for Leighton has since filed a claim for $600,000 in damages. Attorney Edward McNaught Jr.’s letter of intent states he will sue the town on Leighton’s behalf if the demand is not met.

A review of more than a dozen cases on file in Plymouth District Court shows that Leighton, indeed, has had past interaction with Coughlin as well as several other Plymouth and Kingston police officers in the past decade. Court records show Leighton has been accused of assaulting two former girlfriends, brawling and making racial slurs on the Plymouth waterfront.

Several different police officers have arrested him in recent years. He admitted to assaulting one of them. In the only other known case in which Coughlin handled his booking, the arresting officer reported that Coughlin booked Leighton “in the usual manner.” That arrest and booking did not result in any excessive force allegations.

Yule and Coughlin later alleged Leighton became aggressive at police headquarters, kicking Yule in the knee and kicking Coughlin in the groin with a pair of heavy boots. In addition to the initial charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, police also charged Leighton with two counts each of assault and battery on a police officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the boots).

Page 2 of 3 - McNaught, who represents Leighton in the civil proceedings, stated in his demand for damages that the video shows officers enter Leighton’s cell and begin beating him without provocation while he was handcuffed.

According to McNaught’s letter, Leighton was knocked unconscious and sustained a variety of injuries, including some dental injuries. He spent 40 days in jail before the charges were dismissed.

McNaught’s notice also states the officers’ conduct supplied the basis for a variety of claims, including unlawful arrest, use of unreasonable force, failure to intervene and failure to provide medical attention.

The demand for $600,000 threatens the filing of a civil complaint if the case is not settled within six months of the April 30 notification.

Police Chief Michael Botieri turned the video over to federal prosecutors after learning of its existence in December. Coughlin was placed on paid administrative leave at the same time. He remained on leave until last week, when Town Manager Melissa Arrighi fired him.

Yule was placed on administrative leave in December as well. By agreement, he was been on unpaid leave for several months. He has not been charged in connection with the incident, even though his report on the now disputed arrest and booking mirrors Coughlin’s.

Court records suggest Leighton’s interaction with police dates back to at least May 2006, when he was arrested in Kingston for allegedly pushing and spitting in the face of his girlfriend. That case was continued without a finding and eventually dismissed with provisions that Leighton participate in a batterers’ intervention program.

In July 2006, Leighton allegedly damaged the windshield of a man dating his former girlfriend. The charge was later dismissed at the request of the victim.

On New Year’s Day 2007, Leighton allegedly beat a different girlfriend after reading a text message on her telephone. Leighton admitted arguing with the woman but denied hitting her, despite evidence of cuts and bruises to her face and neck. That assault and battery charge was continued without a finding for one year with provisions for a batterers’ program after Leighton admitted sufficient facts.

In March 2007, Leighton was accused of damaging the vehicle of a man in Kingston. The case was continued without a finding after he admitted to sufficient facts and paid restitution.

Two months later, he was accused of swinging a bottle at a man during a fight in a local cemetery. The case was continued without a finding for one year and ultimately dismissed after Leighton admitted sufficient facts and agreed to seek anger management.

In July 2008, Leighton was charged with aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after allegedly breaking a Quincy man’s jaw outside a Davis Street apartment. Leighton denied the charges and the case was dismissed after the victim asserted his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Page 3 of 3 - Leighton was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving in January 2009. The case was continued without a finding, but Leighton was ultimately sentenced to 59 days in jail for violating terms of his probation by testing positive for cocaine and alcohol that December.

A month earlier, he allegedly smashed a North Plymouth man’s windshield. Those charges were dismissed after he paid court costs and restitution.

Leighton was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in March 2010 after a disturbance outside the Colonial Tavern. Leighton allegedly pushed a police officer during the disturbance and was booked at police headquarters, without apparent incident, by Coughlin.

He later pleaded guilty to assault and battery on a police officer and was placed n probation for one year. The other charges were dismissed.

In August 2010, Leighton and another man were accused of creating a disturbance along the waterfront by yelling racial slurs at a black man. Witnesses told police Leighton and his friend called the man a derogatory name and made references to Hitler. The charges of assault and battery, assault to intimidate and disturbing the peace were later dismissed by the state.

In July 2010, Leighton was again charged with disturbing the peace and drinking in public, as well after creating a disturbance while riding in a pedicab. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine.

In August 2011, he allegedly assaulted a man on Middle Street. That case was not filed until earlier this year. Leighton has pleaded innocent and requested a trial by jury.

Court records indicate Leighton was on probation for assaulting the police officer when Yule stopped him for speeding and drunken driving last November. The resulting charges triggered a probation violation that landed him in jail through the holidays.

Court records connect Coughlin to Leighton in only the two bookings. Yule’s only apparent contact with him is on the night he stopped Leighton for speeding.

Despite repeated efforts, Leighton and his attorney have not returned calls or an email requesting comment.